DHS Community Update
March 26, 2021
Finish Term 3 Strong
Greetings DHS Community Members:
What a long, strange year it has been. The year started with tremendous uncertainty in terms of what the school year would look like, what model of instruction we would be in, the impact all of our mitigation strategies would have on students, etc. Yet, here we are with April already set to begin next week and just on the horizon, another likely transition to a return to full in-person learning.
Also on the horizon is the end of term 3, MCAS testing, AP Exams and much more enjoyably, end of year events!
In a normal school year, this time of year can become quite overwhelming for all members of the school community--students, faculty & staff, parents, as well as administrators. This year, given it is anything but a normal year, we should expect those feelings to be heightened but encourage all members of the school community to manage such feelings by doing their very best to focus energy and effort to the immediate task at-hand. Right now, students are encouraged to finish term 3 strong.
Students can put themselves in a position to finish term 3 strong by taking advantage of PASE. Students can sign up to meet with teachers, particularly in classes that might be a struggle, complete all assignments (nothing hurts a student's chances of success in a class more than failing to turn in assignments), and most importantly, students who might be struggling should say something to someone. The someone could be a teacher, it could be a school counselor or school social worker, your advisor, an administrator or any adult at DHS who the student trusts. When we know a student is struggling we can and we will help!
Sincerely,
Ross Thibault
Principal
Literate in a Second Language? Earn the Seal of Biliteracy Today!
Dartmouth High is proud to participate in the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy program. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) states that the Seal of Biliteracy is an official designation from the State of Massachusetts that recognizes graduates who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language. Upon graduation, districts affix the insignia to the physical diploma, to the electronic transcripts, or both. They are 2 levels of distinction: Seal of Biliteracy and Seal of the Biliteracy with Distinction.
WHAT: The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to students who demonstrate literacy in two or more languages, a target language as well as English.
WHO: Students who meet the criteria will receive the Seal of Biliteracy or the Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction upon graduation.
HOW: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has outlined the criteria students must meet to earn this award. To measure proficiency in English, students must earn a qualifying score on the ELA MCAS. To measure proficiency in the target language, students must earn a qualifying score on a state-approved assessment (AAPPL Exam/ AP Spanish Exam/NEWL Exam)
WHEN: Deadlines and testing windows.
Submit Registration Form via google form by Wednesday, March 31, 2021
April 12-April 16: Exams will be administered. Cost of the exam will be funded by Dartmouth Public Schools
WHERE: All testing will take place in the DHS Language Lab (C-12). Please contact World Language Lead Teacher Hilaria Sousa at hilariasousa@dartmouthschools.org with any questions.
From the Desk of the Associate Principal
PSAT10
On Thursday, April 15 the PSAT 10 will be administered to students who are in Cohort B, VLA (Virtual Learning Academy Students), and Cohort A/B (students who attend everyday).
On Friday, April 16 the exam will be administered to students who are in Cohort A.
The exam is only being given to those students who signed up to take the exam.
MCAS
The MCAS ELA and Math will be administered to all sophomores and juniors from May 3 - May 17. More details will follow.
The Biology MCAS will be administered to 9th graders on June 1 - June 4.
Advanced Placement Exams
Advanced Placement students have signed up for their AP exams and will be receiving more information regarding the various test administrations and what specifically will be needed for the digital exams. A link to an informational video is included below to provide specific information.
Clubs & Activities Update
Despite the pandemic, our Clubs and Activities remain active and engaged. Please click on the Get Plugged In button below to read about the latest activities from our Class Advisors.
Yearbook Update
As a result of the COVID pandemic and a vote of the Class of 2021, a decision was made to extend the yearbook delivery to early July. This decision was made in hopes of capturing more images of school year activities to be placed in the yearbook.
A reminder to Seniors that Senior Bios are due by next Thursday, April 1.
Orders for yearbooks will be accepted until May 28.
If you have any questions, please contact donnaflor@dartmouthschools.org
School Counseling & Support Services Department Updates
Class of 2021 Updates
Let us know your post-secondary plans (college, workforce, military, GAP year, etc.) by filling out the Class of 2021 Post-Secondary Plans! We want to highlight your successes!
If you have not had your senior meeting with your school counselor, please schedule one with them as soon as possible.
Scholarship Information
All Scholarships are listed in Naviance. Login to Naviance once a week to see if there are any new scholarships. Click on colleges on the top right hand side; then click on scholarships and money link. Choose the second option scholarship list
Class of 2022 Updates
Class of 2022 it is time to schedule an appointment with your guidance counselor to talk about what your plans are after high school: Sign up to meet with your counselor during PASE or sign up for an appointment on your remote days with your counselor.
PSAT Scores have been released!
Grade 11 students who took the PSAT/NMSQT on January 26th your scores have been released by the College Board as of March 8th and you should have received an email from the College Board. Log in to the student score portal by clicking this link. Understanding your PSAT Score Report click to watch YouTube video. Also, all students should link their College Board accounts to Khan Academy for free help on how to improve their scores click to watch YouTube video on how to link.
UMass Lowell Junior Preview Day - Saturday, April 24th at 10:00AM For more information and to register.
Here’s a preview of what they’ll be able to do:
Participate in live chats with faculty and current students
Discover our programs of study
Chat with admissions representatives and get tips about preparing their application
Learn more about financial aid options
Information for all grade levels
College Fairs
BigFuture Days College Fair - College Board is hosting their first-ever series of virtual college fairs called BigFuture™ Days. Sophomores and juniors are encouraged to sign up for a chance to connect directly with college admissions representatives and current college students. You'll have a chance to explore colleges in a way that's not overwhelming, ask questions about topics you want to learn about, and take action on key college planning steps. To register for the event sign up at cb.org/bigfuturedays.
BigFuture Day West + Southwest is on Tuesday, March 30
BigFuture Day Midwest is on Sunday, April 18
BigFuture Day Southeast is on Thursday, April 29
NACAC - The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), founded in 1937, is an organization of nearly 14,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education. This year, the college fairs are online events. Click on the link for more information, and to register for the fair!
New England Association for College Admission Counseling invites you to visit our virtual Spring
College Fair. Admission Representatives from more than 180 Institutions will be available LIVE during the following dates and times: Wednesday, April 14th from 7-8:30 pm EST and/or Sunday, May 16th from 1-3:00 pm EST. Registration for the College Fair is required, but it is FREE! To register, please visit: https://neacac.swoogo.com/NEACACVirtual_Spring.
Should you have any questions along the way, please contact NEACAC at admin@neacac.org.
Local Webinars
College Information Session: College Edge Webinar - Tuesday, April 6 at 6:30PM Click link to join webinar.
Discuss the next steps of the College Admissions process to set up your student for success! Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Fairfield University Ben Bayers will be joining. Topics to be discussed are listed below: Admission Cycle Updates, The New FASFA, How to make the most of Summer Break, Admission Timelines.
Interviewing 101 - May 31st 4:00PM-5:30PM
Learn the dos and don'ts of the college interview. During this virtual session, you will hear best practices, learn how to prepare for your interview, and have a practice interview with a member of the admission team. Click link to register
Building Your Resume & Writing Your College Essay - April 15th 9:00AM-10:30AM
Join Assumption Admissions for an informative discussion on building your resume and writing your essay. During the virtual workshop, you will learn more about marketing your achievements, choosing the right essay topic for you, and preparing an application that stands out. Click link to register
Starting Your College Search - April 13th 9:00AM-10:30AM
Join Assumption Admissions for a virtual presentation on starting your college search, researching schools virtually, and discussing how to begin narrowing your list. You'll then ask questions to our panel of current Greyhounds during a live Q&A. Click link to register
MEFA Webinars
Helping Families Understand Financial Aid Offers - Webinar on March 30th at 2:00PM to learn all you need to know about the different types of financial aid available, how to best calculate the balance due at every school, and methods that families can use to pay the college bill balance. Click to register for the webinar.
SAT and ACT test registration deadlines
The SAT and ACT test registration dates and deadlines are listed in the community update to remind students of upcoming deadlines.
SAT test on May 8th - registration deadline is April 8th
ACT test on June 12th - registration deadline is May 7th
SAT Test Prep
Lentz & Lentz will be holding live virtual programs through Zoom for SAT Prep. Course will run on Saturday Mornings from 9:00AM-12:30PM starting on April 10th. A second course will be offered on Monday and Tuesday nights from 6:00-7:30PM starting on April 12th. To register and for more information call (845) 638-2826 or visit Lentzsatprep.com
Scholarship Resources
This website resource is made for high school students to access many scholarship opportunities/extracurricular competitions before entering college. The link is here to look for scholarships or competitions: https://www.scholarships4highschool.org/
School Social Workers Update
Social workers are available during the school day to students and families. Students can sign up in Enriching Students to see a social worker during the PASE period or sign up with an appointment slot.
Free food boxes/meal resources
Massachusetts Military Support Foundation continues to sponsor The Farmer's to Families Food Boxes program. Each food box contains 32 pounds of perishable and nonperishable food items including fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and meat products. The program will run every Saturday, until April 10th (excluding March 27th). Families must register for the New Bedford site at https://mmsfi.org/farmers-to-families/. Families interested in learning some new recipes containing the food items included in the mealbox, please go to https://mmsfi4vets.info/recipes/ for a free recipe book!
Free Meals for kids 18 and under at the New Bedford YMCA! The New Bedford YMCA is offering free fresh meal boxes (breakfast and lunch) on Wednesday (3 days of meals) and Saturdays (4 days of meals). No paperwork or pre-registration is necessary and the child/children do not need to be present for pick-up. Meals can be picked up at New Bedford YMCA Parking Lot 25 S. Water Street New Bedford, MA 02740.
Wednesdays - 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.*** (or until meals run out)
Saturdays - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.*** (or until meals run out)
PACE Food Pantry - PACE continues to operate its own Food Bank, Monday through Friday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Please call the program at 508-999-9920 for information on how to access the Food Bank.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) for the 2020-2021 School Year (Additional Food Funds for Students during COVID-19. You will get P-EBT if you qualify for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program AND are in a hybrid or fully remote learning. Get P-EBT help at Click here or call DTA Assistance Line 1-877-382-2363 (Press 6).
For a replacement card: Click here
Updates from the DHS Virtual Learning Academy
Returning to School?: The Dartmouth High School Administrative Team is planning for the eventual full return to school; however it is important to note that students have the option, and it is our general recommendation to our VLA students, to complete the school year in the VLA for a variety of reasons.
Over the past several days, DHS has reached out to every student currently enrolled in the VLA to determine whether or not they prefer to return to school in full or not. Students from the VLA who opt to return to school will continue with VLA coursework upon their return to school. If you have not yet indicated to us your preference, please reach out as soon as possible so that we can continue the planning process. You can call 508-961-2700 and ask to speak to Mr. Gill regarding the VLA.
Remain Vigilant: VLA students need to remain vigilant in their studies; engage in their work 30 hours per week (6 hours per day). This time commitment is necessary to finish assigned coursework, earn strong grades and complete the credits required for a successful academic year. Students with low “Actual Grades” relative to their “Overall Grades” in Edgenuity are not putting enough time into their studies.
Remain Vigilant, Part II: Interested in knowing how much work needs to be done. The Edgenuity Progress Report can provide you that information. The Est. Time Remaining is Edgenuity’s estimate of how long it will take the student to complete the course in hours and minutes. In this example, the estimated time remaining is just over 23 hours. To get an idea if your student is on track, add up the number of hours for each assigned course and divide that total by the number of school days remaining (as of Monday 3/22/21, there are 45 school days remaining for seniors and 58 school days for under-class). This will tell you how many hours/day the student needs to engage in their work to complete the course on time.
Testing: the VLA Testing Center is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9:30 - 11:30.
From the DHS Health Office
If your child is exhibiting cold-like symptoms or any other symptoms that mimic or include symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child home and call your PCP for advice. If your child comes into school with symptoms of COVID-19, they will be isolated and parents will be called to pick up their child and to have their child evaluated by his/her PCP. If the PCP feels the symptoms are related to an illness other than COVID-19, a medical note must be written to the school indicating the diagnosis and when the child may return to school. In EVERY case, the child must have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to school. Resources to support parents in monitoring symptoms are included below.
Reporting Student Absences, Tardiness & Dismissals
Attendance and academic success go hand-in-hand. We ask that parents continue to report known absences or tardiness to Dartmouth High School using the attendance line (508-961-2700 ext.1). In addition, parents are encouraged to submit medical notes and/or discuss illness related absences with Nurse Wildrick in order to ensure we are able to support your child's health and wellness. Nurse Wildrick can be reached at 508-961-2700 ext. 7420.
If your child needs to be dismissed we ask that you please email DHSdismissals@dartmouthschools.org as early as possible. This will allow us to maintain accurate attendance records.
Upcoming DHS Events
Dartmouth High School
Email: rossthibault@dartmouthschools.org
Website: dartmouth.school/domain/8
Location: 555 Bakerville Road, Dartmouth, MA, USA
Phone: 508-961-2700
Twitter: @DartmouthHS